Cathode ray tube mount



May 1, 1934., R. L. CAMPBELL CATHODE RAY TUBE MOUNT Filed Sept. l1

INVENTOR P ichqrd LC qmpbeu BY 7 I.

H/S ATTORNEY.

Patented May 1 1934 rrEo STATES CATHODE RAY TUBE MOUNT Richard L. Campbell, Collingswood, N. J., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application September 11, 1931, Serial N6. 562,211

5 Claims.

My invention relates to cathode ray tube mounts and, more particularly, to such mounts when used in oscillographs and television receivers or transmitters.

Under certain conditions, it is desirable that a cathode ray tube shall be vertically mounted with the end thereof carrying the fluorescent screen in proximity to a reflecting mirror or other observation device. In such event, the lower end of the tube, which is usually provided with a base having contact terminals, is prone, to be subjected to such strains, upon movement of the entire apparatus from place to place, that injury thereto may result.

Again, when used in the vertical position, the tube is in a state of unstable equilibrium, and the slightest jar or vibration causes it to move relatively to the stationary ray-deflection coils customarily employed in connection therewith, causing distortion of the image developed on the screen.

It is, accordingly, an object of my invention to provide unitary cathode-ray tube supporting means that shall so align and partially support a tube that it is protected against breakage.

Another object of my invention is to provide means of the type described, from which a cathode ray tube may easily be removed for inspection, repair or replacement.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a cathode ray tube supporting device that is effective to shield the tube against stray electrical fields and to protect the user of the apparatus against accidental contact with portions thereof at high potentials.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will hereinafter appear.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, an embodiment thereof is shown in the drawing wherein the single figure is a perspective View, partly broken away, and partly in section, of television receiving apparatus embodying my invention.

A cathode ray tube 10 of usual construction is vertically disposed, as shown in the interior of a cabinet 10a. The neck portion 11 of the tube, containing the electron gun, extends downwardly through a suitable opening 12 in a plate 13 forming part of a supporting base for the various units 14 making up the receiver.

A plurality of coils 15 and an associated electromagnetic core 16, for deflecting the ray, are disposed below the plate 13 and are enclosed in a casing 17.

The core 16 is supported from the plate 13 by the bolts 18.

For the purpose of aligning and partially supporting the tube 10, a frustro-conical metallic casing member 19 is secured at its lower edge to 69 the plate 13 by bolts or any other suitable means 20.

The member 19 flares upwardly, as shown, at an angle substantially less than the angle at which the conical portion'of the tube 10 flares G5 upwardly, the dimensions being such that the diameter of the upper edge portion 21 of the member 19 is less than the diameter of the large end of the tube. The tube 10 restslightly upon and is held in alignment with the core 16 by the 79 member 19, contacting with an interposed layer 22 of felt or other suitable material which may be afiixed to the inner face of the edge portion 21. Connections'to the tube 10 are made through a suitable plug 23 which is inserted into a complementary socket 24, a portion of the weight of the tube being borne by the socket 24.

The height of the supporting member 19 is such that when the plug 28 is driven home on the'socket 24, the tube at the large end thereof seats only lightly upon the member 19, but fits so snugly into the felt lining that the tube is maintained in alignment with the poles of the core 16. By supporting a part of the weight of the tube at the lower end thereof, as explained, the wall of the tube at the large end, which is generally thin as compared with the wall of the lower neck portion 11, is subjected to comparatively little stress. The free seating of the tube on the upper edge portion 21 of the member 19, and the plug-and-socket connection at the lower end of the tube, permits of free upward displacement of the tube out of operative position without the disturbance of any associated parts or the removal of any connections to the electron gun.

The usual male and female connections between the plug 23 and socket 24 operate to support the lower end of the tube against lateral displacement, and at the same time permit the tube to seat upon the upper edge portion 21 of the supporting member 19.

The member 19 not only provides a support for the tube 10 to hold the same in alignment, but also constitutes a shield for protecting the same against breakage. Further, the member 19 provides for a strong and compact construction, and functions effectively to shield the tube from electrical fields which might otherwise interfere with deflection of the cathode ray by the coils 15.

The frustro-conical shape of the member 19, and its disposition with the smaller end secured to the plate 13, leaves room for the placement of other parts of the receiver, such as the units 14, about the member 19 in closer proximity to the tube 10 than would be possible if the member 10 were cylindrical.

The casing 17 is provided with a downwardly depending tubular portion 25 of sufficient diameter to freely receive the neck portion 11 of the tube and the plug 23. This portion 25 operates to protect this end of the tube against breakage and to shield the electron gun from stray elec trical fields.

The cabinet 10a is provided with a hinged cover 26 on the inner side of which'is'a mirror 27 for reflecting the picture reproduced on the large end of the tube 10.

In replacing the tube 10, it is merely necessary to swing back the cover 26 and lift the tube out. The new tube is then lowered into position, turned until the socket 24' receives the plug 23', and pressed downwardly until the plug and socket engage and the large end of the tube fits snugly in the felt-lined upper edge portion 21' of the member 19.

The plate 13, the casing 17, the member 19,

of the length thereof for protecting the same against breakage" and for shielding said device from electrical fields, said device being seated on said means and supported thereby by a free seating engagement of said wall structure with the upper edge portion only of said means.

2. In apparatus of the character described, an electron device comprising a vertically disposed tube conically-shaped at its upper end and provided at its lower end with a source of electron emission, a vertically disposed and elongated casing. member substantially enclosing the conically-shaped end of said tube, the upper edge portion of said member falling short of the top wall structure of said tube and engaging the conicallyshaped side wall thereof to provide a supporting seat for the tube, the remaining part of said casing member being spaced from the conicallyshaped sidewall whereby the tube seats freely on the supporting upper edge portion only of said member, and means for supporting said device at said other end thereof and for providing connections to said source of electron emission.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a casing, a substantially vertically disposed cathode ray tube having a comically-shaped end disposed above said casing and a neck portion extending freely through said casing and below the same, a shield disposed about said conically-shaped end and upon which said tube is seated by a seating engagement of said end with said member, means disposed in said neck portion for developing a ray of electrons, means disposed in said casing for deflecting the ray, and means at the lower end. of said tube for supporting the same and comprising a plug-and-socket connection providing connections with said ray-developing means.

4. A support for a cathode ray tube constituted by an upwardly flaring hollow metallic element and'a downwardly depending cylindrical metallic element, the depending member having an internal diameter less than the internal diameter of the lower end of the upwardly flaring member. 5. A support for a cathode ray tube constituted by an upwardly flaring hollow metallic element and a downwardly depending cylindrical metallic element, the upwardly flaring member and the depending member being axially spaced apart.

RICHARD L. CAMPBELL. 

